Blake wore the suit I paid for when he arrived.
He looked amazing in it, as I knew he would, and loved it enough to wear it as his birthday outfit. We practically grew up together along with Alex, so I always had a pretty good idea of what he was into and blue has been his favorite color for as long as I could remember.
Blue was also the main theme of his party, accented with black and silver. That had nothing to do with me–the only thing I did all day was check off each completed task for the party. I don't know why the Alpha thought I would make a good fit for the job of directing the pack. I know he was a busy man, but wasn't part of an Alpha's job to pay attention to pack dynamics? It wasn't like anyone hated me, but they weren't exactly friendly towards me either. Anyone I approached either immediately walked off or snapped out a response. The only person who was friendly towards me was Stella, Blake's girlfriend.
It was rumored that Stella was going to be Blake's Mate. And it was undeniable that she would make a good Luna, the one everyone was hoping for. Pretty, popular, smart, and nice. That was the Professor X recipe to making a Luna and Stella had them all. I honestly wanted her to become Luna too; she was always nice to me no matter what and made an effort to talk to me.
The only reason why she's not with Blake right now is because she and a few of her friends put together a dance number for him and were rehearsing. The party was like a talent show more than anything else, with many of the pack members putting together some sort of entertainment to get in their future Alpha's good graces now rather than later.
Some of the Elder women got all the pack children together for some sort of play. A few other Elders, including Blake's grandfather Elder Samson, planned to tell a few stories later on in the night. Some Warriors were going to fight in a show of strength and skill. And there was going to be a huge feast with a huge spit roasted pig as the centerpiece—the smell of cooking pig has filled the entire pack grounds since Blake left this morning.
We always celebrate 18th birthdays at night. It's a tradition to party and have fun until midnight, when the birthday person would shift and bathe in the moonlight of the Goddess, waiting to feel the pull of their Mate. When their Mate was identified, the two would shift and run through the forest together. It wasn't known how far the pull reached, but given that packs were easily the size of a small town it was common for most to find their Mate within or from neighboring packs. It's the Goddess' work. But in the rare case that one did not find their Mate, they would take a silent vigil in the forest until dawn. Some would leave the pack to search for their Mate. But some, like Alex, remained in the pack for various reasons. In Alex's case, it was his duty binding him here.
Blake's arrival cued the beginning of the party and suddenly music was blasting and people were cheering. He spared me a glance and small smile, patting my shoulder as he passed me by on his way to Stella, who screamed and jumped into his arms. I didn't know if I wanted to take her place, or just have what they had, but there was a strange ache in my chest as I watched the two embrace.
"Good job, Robin." Alpha Elijah said beside me. He smiled as I looked up at him.
I couldn't help but beam at the praise. "Thanks. I didn't really do that much though."
"You did just enough." He patted my head. "It looks amazing."
The party was in full swing when I realize I'd forgotten Blake's gift upstairs. Those close to him had given him their gifts personally, but the rest were on a table in a sizable pile. The people loved their Alpha Apparent and weren't afraid to show it. There were literally hundreds of gifts there, each carefully wrapped and presented on the table. I would've loved to give Blake my gift personally, but it was too late. I didn't want to end up embarrassing him in front of the whole pack.
I'm in the main pack house crossing through the living room to the stairs when suddenly I'm yanked back and pulled into a hard chest. Something heavy landed on my shoulder and I'm on the verge of freaking out when I notice wisps of familiar sandy blond hair from my peripheral.
"Alex?!"
"Hmm?"
"What the hell?" I hiss. "You scared me."
"Sorry." His face was pressed against my neck and shoulder, muffling his words. He had his arms locked around my waist, holding me tightly to him.
"What are you doing here? Why aren't you at the party?"
"I could ask you the same." He turned me around and gave me an inquisitive stare, one eyebrow arched.
I roll my eyes. "I forgot Blake's gift in my room and was going to get it."
His face tightened. "You're putting it on the table, right?"
"That's none of your business." I snap. One of few things that could still bother me was the way Alex behaved whenever Blake was mentioned. He was even more possessive, and sometimes outright mean, even though Blake shows no type of interest in me that way. At best, we really just lived in the same house together. We used to fight over bathroom time, for shit's sake.
Alex's gaze shadowed and before I could react he pushed me onto the couch and yanked my shirt up. A searing hot but incredibly pleasurable feeling washed through my body from a spot where he pressed his palm against my skin, right over my heart. My body arched into his even as confusion clouded my mind. Alex only smirked with satisfaction.
"Wh-what did you do to me, Alex?!" I cry out.
"I Marked you." He said it so simply, so easily, as if it were the most natural thing in the world to do.
I could barely breathe. There was no way he did what I'm thinking he did.
"As in...your M-Mating Mark?"
He smirked, the darkness in his eyes gone as they danced happily. "Yup. I told you, Robin. You're all mine. Nobody, and I mean nobody, I can ever take you from me."
A rage I've only felt once before rose up hot and heavy. I couldn't believe he Marked me, tying me to him for the rest of my life. Just like that, he so easily took away the last bit of hope I had left.
I only realized what I had done when Alex was rolling on the ground holding his nose and cussing up a storm. A calmness washed over me as I watch him. I no longer felt any fear from him.
"You had no right." He froze when I spoke, staring at me with wide eyes.
"Robin–"
"I ought to fucking kill you."
"Robin–"
"Shut the fuck up, you selfish asshole. Do you truly realize what the fuck you've just done to me, Alex? You've bound me to you forever. Even if you find your Mate, I will be stuck with you until the day I die. Or you die." I laugh, almost giddy as my mind whirled with the sick reality that is my life. "My Mate will never want me...Out of all the things you've ever done, this was by far the worst."
I left him there on the floor and went back outside, hiding in the dark away from everyone else. They were all watching Stella and the others dance. It was a little provocative, but it wasn't so bad considering it was her dance for her boyfriend and possible Mate. Blake seemed to be enjoying it going by the huge smile on his face. He didn't take his eyes off her for a second. My heart ached as I realized I would never have anything possibly close to what they had.
How did I not notice Alex Marking me? It had to have happened last night, during sex. No wonder that bastard wanted to keep his stuff in me. I rarely tried to understand his weird behaviors, but that one was new and incredibly strange. Especially this morning. He's such a fucking asshole.
My skin prickled and I look up to see Alex staring at me with a burning gaze. His nose was already healed and it looked like he cleaned himself up as well. He sat next to his father, who seemed to only be there for the free alcohol and food.
Looking away, I caught the Alpha's suddenly attentive gaze. He looked between me and Alex, confusion clear on his face. Alex had turned away, attending to his father, but the Alpha has clearly seen something between us. I shook my head and left the area. The last thing I wanted was for him to question me about anything going on between us. I knew I would end up telling him everything and that wasn't a box I was ready to open.
I end up in Elder's corner, a cluster of houses especially meant for the Elders of the pack including the retired Alpha. Each one was deeply respected for their longevity and wisdom and are treated very well within the pack. I used to come here often as a child, thanks to the late Elder Luna.
Luna Raveena was Blake's grandmother and had the purest, kindest soul of anyone I ever met. Back then I had a hard time controlling my abilities. I was bombarded with emotions and strong auras everywhere I went, and had to deal with Alex on top of that, leaving me overwhelmed on a daily basis. Luna Raveena was an oasis in a long stretch of desert, and also had her own bit of psychic ability.
Unlike Danny, Luna Raveena's ability was more intuitive. She used mediums when she wanted to delve deeper or speak to the great ancestors, and otherwise she had a very very strong sixth sense. It was her who first noticed my abilities, taking me under her wing and teaching me a few ways to protect myself. I used to meditate with her every morning before school and went straight to her afterschool as well. We would bake sweets and talk about everything. She was the only friend I had. I took her death really, really hard.
"Robin?"
I look up, realizing I was in front of the old house, and notice Elder Samson standing on the porch looking down at me curiously. He was the previous Alpha and Luna Raveena's Mate. I wasn't as close to him as I was with her, but we always got along and bonded for a while after her death.
If Elder Samson was a few years younger, he and the Alpha could easily pass as twins but their personalities were nearly completely opposite. Where Alpha Elijah was kind and lenient, Elder Samson was hard and strict. He tolerated very little of what he called 'tomfoolery' and had no problems exercising his authority. But, from what I hear, he was a good Alpha who was feared by other packs.
He cracked a small smile as I approach and swept me into a big hug. I pat his back awkwardly and wiggle out of his arms.
"Why are you here, Elder Samson?"
"Why don't you call me grandpa anymore?" He eyed me. "That was nice. You used to say it all the time. 'Grandpa, grandpa', not this Elder crap."
I hold in a smile. "I'm sorry, sir–"
"Ahhh," he waved me off. "What are you doing here anyways?"
There was absolutely no way I was telling him the truth. What Alex did was considered treachery. By Marking me, he went directly against the will of our Goddess. That was something that everyone, especially Elder Samson, took very seriously. If I told Elder Samson, he would no doubt advocate for Alex's death.
Well, maybe that wouldn't be so bad.
"Just thinking about Luna Raveena. She would be so proud of Blake."
A sad smile crossed Elder Samson's face. "Yeah she would. There would be no damn peace all month long the way she would've been whooping and hollering. She loved that boy. And you too."
"I miss her." I sigh.
"Yeah, me too kid." He side-eyed me. "You'd probably still call her grandma, you know."
My cheeks heat as I roll my eyes. "With all due respect, Elder Samson, let it go. It's really not my place to call you that."
"It will be soon enough," he grumbled under his breath. I still heard him though and my brow furrowed.
"What does that mean?"
"Hmm, what?" He slung his arm around my shoulder and started towards the party. "Oh, I'm just a crazy old man Robin, you can't listen to every little thing that comes out my mouth."
'"...Right." I guess whatever it was would come to light soon enough. "You never told me why you weren't at the party."
He shook his head with a sigh. "Ehh, I left when that silly girl came out. What's her name, Sabrina?"
"Stella."
"Mm. I don't like her."
I give him a surprised look. "Why not? She's nice."
"People who are 'nice' only are so for their own gain, Robin. Never mix niceties with kindness."
"Well what's the difference?"
"Nice is a mannerism. Politeness. It's something that can be learned. Kindness comes from the heart. Your grandma was kind." He looked at me sternly. "You have a gift, Robin, that she taught you to control. It's up to you to learn how to properly use it. Never forget that most people are not what they seem."
By then we reached the others. Blake was leisurely opening his gifts, Stella right at his side, as one of the Elders told a well known story about a forbidden romance between wolves of separate packs.
They were Mates, but their respective packs were so strongly opposed that their Alphas would rather keep them separate and let them suffer instead of letting them be together. On the full moon they would sneak out and meet each other, but were eventually caught and imprisoned. But that didn't stop them as they wrote love letters to one another, using their friends to send them. Eventually they planned to escape and elope together. But they were found out and chased. They died in each other's arms. It was said the Goddess took pity on them and joined their spirits together in the sky where they were free to be together.
It was a story we all knew well, so most weren't paying any attention chatting or eating or dancing. Elder Samson patted my shoulder and left to join the other Elders.
The moment he walked away a light buzzing started like there was a bee stuck in my skull. Another side effect of having a shaman wolf spirit–spirits from the Otherside often tried to contact me. It happened often when I was a kid but now only strong spirits could try to force their way through my defenses, creating the buzzing in my head. I couldn't ignore them, as the buzzing would only get louder and louder. Spirits like this were powerful beings. I wasn't afraid of being possessed with Danny to protect me. Once we were on the Otherside he had full reign of all his power.
"Robin, could I speak to you for a moment?"
I hold in a groan as the Alpha spoke behind me, turning around to see his worried face and Alex's reluctant, upset one.
"Of course, Alpha." I ignore the buzzing the best I could and follow the Alpha into the main pack house.
We enter the living room and the Alpha gestured for us to sit on the couch. With a grimace I sit as far as I could from Alex, balancing on the arm of the couch. Alex shot me an unimpressed look which I return with a glare. Just the sight of him made me angry all over again and I wanted to break his nose. The Alpha watched us with a calculating eye.
"What's all this about?" He demanded. "Why are the two of you acting this way?"
"Nothing, Alpha." Alex immediately lied. "We're fine–"
"Don't fucking lie to me." The Alpha growled out, his voice dropping to a beastly tone. "I want the truth. Now."
My back straightened when his gaze snapped to me. I open my mouth to respond but the moment I did, pain shot through my head and I cry out instead, clutching my head. The spirit was trying to force me through to the Otherside. Whatever it is, was incredibly strong. My vision flickered and bile crept up my throat. My eyes watered but I knew from experience it was blood, not tears. I could hear the Alpha speaking to me, his hands wrapped around my arms, but the pull was just too strong.
"Come..." An ethereal voice spoke in my mind.
"Listen...
"Very important...
"You must."
I can't resist the pull anymore, closing my eyes and letting it guide me to where I needed to go. The buzzing pain disappears almost immediately as my body becomes weightless and the first thing I feel is Danny's presence beside me, the fur of his wolf form brushing against my hand. I open my 'eyes' and take in the sight of the Otherside. Having no light source, it was almost completely dark and had an underwater vibe to it. Standing in front of me was a being with long flowing white hair, a thick gold band around their forehead, their eyes firmly shut.
An Oracle.
Fuck.
As amazing as they were, Oracles never appeared for good reasons. This was my second time meeting one.
"Robin..." The Oracle called.
"What you desire will be yours.
"But a price must always be paid.
"Within you lies strength.
"Within you lies courage.
"They will be with you.
"Always."
I shake my head. "Oracle, I don't understand."
The Oracle smiled. "Your youth belies your power, child."
Danny stepped forward. "Speak clearly, Oracle."
One of the Oracle's eyes opened, locked on Danny, and he froze in place. Not even a single strand of fur moved.
"Danuwoa Waya.
This is not your place, skinwalker.
Protect this child.
He is the key."
The Oracle's eye closed and Danny, now released, backed up a step with his head lowered. "I understand, Oracle."
"Well, I don't." I huff.
"All comes to light, child.
"Be strong."
Everything went black as the Oracle forced us out. I couldn't even try to resist as doing so would probably break my mind before I beat the strength of an Oracle. I didn't know where they came from, but Oracles were incredibly strong beings.
"Robin? Robin?"
Alex's voice, plus his face, were the first things I sense as I return to my physical body. I blink and his worried face came into focus, the sight suddenly reminded me of what he did and I swing out before I could stop myself, decking him for the second time today. He jerked back with a growl and I quickly move away from his sorry ass, growling back at him. My lip curled as I realize he'd laid my head in his lap. He glared darkly at me as blood dribbled onto his lips. I smirk. Second time I successfully broke his nose.
"Second time, Robin." He hissed. "Second fucking time."
I bare my teeth. "Come near me again and I'll make it a third."
"Stop it, both of you." The Alpha commanded. I looked up to see him standing with his arms crossed, Blake beside him with a look of shock on his face. "What the hell is going on with you two?"
"He fucking Marked me." Still fueled by my anger, I spoke irrationally. "Against my will."
'The Alpha's gaze went murderous. "What? Explain yourself, Alex. Now."
Alex shrugged, his eyes bright. "He's mine."
"I am not fucking yours, Alex!" I scream, shooting up.
"Sit down, Robin." The Alpha commanded and I drop down. "You have committed a serious act of treason, Alex. Not only that, you know the truth. Why would you do this, knowing the risks?"
Alex looked away but I could still see his face. There was an agonized look screwing up his lips and brows. I didn't understand it. Why? What could possibly bother him so much? I was the one who was hurting, not him.
"Usti." Danny spoke. "His aura. Look at it."
Frowning, I study Alex as I allow the veil to sweep over my eyes and everything became black and white. A faint color wrapped around his body. I blink in shock as one overwhelming feeling surged through.
Fear.
It was a color I'd only seen once before, a sort of minty green tinged with blue. Honestly it was a nauseating color that gave me the feeling of sickness, like disease.
"What is this?" I ask Danny.
"When you feed one wolf, the other one only lies in waiting ready to pounce."
"Danny..."
"The choices we make, Robin, decides our fate. Not the other way around."
"Alex!" The Alpha snapped, catching my attention.
Alex took a deep, shuddering breath. His shoulders squared and his jaw set as he first looked at me and then the Alpha. His eyes were a clear, deep almost red amber. Like I remembered when we were kids. They shone with sincerity.
"I love Robin, Alpha." He spoke firmly. "And I don't want anyone else to have him. Not even–"
"Love?!" I shoot up. "Love? You don't know what the fuck love is! Nothing you've ever done has been out of love!"
He couldn't even look me in the eye. "I know I've done some messed up things to you Robin–"
"Messed up? You've made my entire life a living hell." I smack my chest right where he put his Mark. "My Mate will never want me because of you. You can leave me whenever you want, Alex, but because of you I will spend the rest of my life Mateless."
"I will never leave you." He mumbled.
"I don't want you!" I scream. "You're a selfish, possessive bastard who cannot love anything or anybody! I hate you."
"Robin," the Alpha called to me, his voice quiet. I'd nearly forgotten him and Blake were here. "It's up to you. What do you want done with him?"
I look down at Alex. His head was low, his shoulders hunched and his hands balled into fists tucked into his stomach. Pathetic. I sneered.
"Nothing." I said to the Alpha. "Let him live his pathetic life. Let him stay in the pack. The moment I decide to punish him is the moment I become him. And that is the last thing I want."
Alex was taken away and I retreat to my room. I was too tired to cry. It was a long day and an even longer night. All I want to do is go to sleep. And yet, someone was knocking on my door before I could even touch my bed. I sigh and let whoever it was in, shock running through me when I realize it's Blake. My heartbeat increased and I felt my palms get all sweaty. We used to be a lot closer as kids, and then one day we just...weren't friends anymore. I guess since he was learning how to become an Alpha, he didn't really have time to cater to me anymore. It was always me needing him, not the other way around.
""Hey." He said awkwardly.
"...Hey."
"Um...how are you feeling?"
I shrugg and look away. "Confused, I guess. And tired."
He let out a heavy sigh. "Yeah stupid question huh? Listen...I know I haven't been around that much and all-"
"It's not your fault, Blake." I blurt out. "Alex is sick and twisted."
"I–I probably could've stopped him though." He scratched the back of his head, an unreadable expression on his face. "Everything is all so...fucked up."
A random cheer rose up through my window. Everyone was out there happy and having fun, and Blake wasn't even out there with them. Because of me.
"Oh!" I ran to my closet and grabbed his gift. I'd almost forgotten. "Here you go. Happy Birthday, Blake."
He took the gift with a surprised look and slowly unwrapped it. I bite my lip and watch his face, my heart skipping as he chuckled with a happy smile.
"How the hell did you get this?" He pulled out the cologne and took a small sniff. "I tried to order it, but it was already sold out. How'd you know I wanted this?"
I shrug. Of course I wasn't going to tell him I kind of stalked him for a while to find out what he wanted, nor that I stayed up late watching the countdown for its release just to order it.
"Wow Robin, I don't know what to say." He reached out and hugged me. "Thank you, this is amazing."
There was a scream, followed by cheers and laughter. Blake glanced towards the window and then back at me. I knew he wanted to join the others but also didn't want to leave me alone.
"You should go."
"But what about you?"
"I'll be fine, Blake." I pull out my best smile, happy I was able to at least give him his gift. "Don't let me keep you from your own birthday party."
"Robin–"
"No, please don't worry about me," I grab his arm and start pulling him towards the door. "I'll join you out there soon, okay? Just let me get myself together."
He stared at me for a long moment before cracking a small, sort of sad smile and patting my head. "You're too nice, Robin."
~~~
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